Joel and I have been in the US for a couple of months now, as you can probably tell from our lack of posts recently. What happened was, we got really busy. We got busy because we stopped living our simple life right about the time we arrived in the US. We keep asking ourselves how it happened – how did we go from living such a simple life to being as busy as we are now? We’re chasing time again and in this post I’ll share everything we’ve realized after our experience.

Drivin’ My Life Away
The first thing we noticed was driving. In Saba, we never had to drive anywhere – well, admittedly, we have no car in Saba! But we don’t need one because our cottage is so close to everything. The destinations that require a car are few – perhaps Wells Bay and scuba diving – both easily reached by car or hitch hiking.

King of the Road
The minute we arrived in the US, we started driving…and driving…and driving. 2 hours from the airport to our home in the White Mountains of New Hampshire. 15 minutes one way to the grocery store. 3 hours to Boston for some of the classes and conveniences. And more driving for business trips. It was shocking how different it was to have all those miles of road to drive – quite a difference from a 5 square mile island!

Fluff and Fold
Another big shocker was the difference in small things. For example, we have a washer and dryer here. Instead of washing our clothes in the sink and hanging them to dry at the perfect time to catch the sun, we can throw them into the washer and dryer any time of the day or night. Somehow, it didn’t seem like a big time saver to have the washer and dryer though, since Phyllis, part of the dynamic duo who takes care of our cottage, washes the sheets and towels.

Super Stores
Another example is going to the grocery store. It’s about the same distance from our cottage to the Big Rock Market in Saba as it is from the parking lot into the giant mecca of food and necessities that is Shaw’s in New Hampshire. In fact, it takes longer to walk around in Shaws than it does to get to the store from our cottage. Shopping in the US is so much more work and takes more planning. In Saba, if we forget something, we can just walk right back and grab what we need. And if we are getting back from hiking and don’t have cash? In Saba, we just put it on our tab. So easy.

The dishwasher. We have one in NH, but in Saba, Joel and I are the dishwashers.

Water – plenty of well water in New Hampshire and limited from our cistern in Saba. We aren’t the only people we know who’ve returned from Saba and had to relearn to flush the toilet for #1 (you may remember the saying, “In the land of sun and fun, we do not flush for #1.”)

Internet – although it’s pretty good in Saba, it’s soooo much faster in NH.

Phones – The phone situation is a lot easier here, with free long distance on the land lines and faster internet making skype and Packet 8 higher quality.

Television – we have access to as much television as we want here because cable is easier to get, however, we broke our TV habit in Saba and are reluctant to go back.

Computer Gaming – yes, Joel is at it again. Multi-player first person shooter gaming that requires high speed internet and often eats up hours of time. (I know, and yes, he is in his thirties!).

More Means More
Just as all things can be looked at as positive or negative, there are two sides to the Saba vs. US coin. Many of you may read this and say, it looks like it’s so much easier in NH – We thought it would be too – and in many ways it is. However, as we entered the land of plenty, something funny happened. We wanted more. We wanted to do more, to buy more and to take advantage of more. There were more people to see – friends, colleagues, family, etc. More things to do – classes, events, movies, travel. And guess what? We totally got into it – not like the consumers we used to be in the old days, but we still revved it up quite a bit upon arrival.

Oh, and it’s been raining and cold almost non-stop since we got back. We miss our Saban sunshine!

Lessons Learned
Like anything else, it’s all about choices. We were presented with more of everything and we wanted it all. In Saba, we had access to very little and wanted nothing. So my lesson is, look less at the outside and more on the inside. I’ve started to check in with myself more, to see how I’m feeling – before I choose to do anything. If just the thought of it makes me feel busy, boxed in and stressed, I let it go. I am starting to love the letting go now, rather than the need to grab on to every opportunity, every bit of fun that might come my way. In an abundant world, if we truly trust our ability to have everything we need, it’s easier to let things go. That’s our biggest lesson.

Here’s a few others – try these to have a simpler, “on island” style life:

In Joel’s words, TV is a time waster. That’s what he said last week when we were in Utah and he watched for a few hours in the hotel room. Suddenly he looked at the clock and saw that 3 hours went by.

Catalogs – throw them out before you even get home. Our post office has recycling bins in the lobby that are so for getting rid of the pounds of catalogs we receive. Joel tries to sneak home with the LL Bean catalog every time, however. I guess it could be worse, he leaves the Victoria’s Secret at the Post Office!

Internet/computer – turn it off. Set a time and turn it off so that you can wind down at night before bed. The light from the computer is picked up by your pineal gland in the brain and makes it harder to get to sleep. This is the big challenge for me, but I’m making progress.

Just one day – see if you can get just one day to yourself – no errands allowed. One day of fun and relaxation is great for your mind and body. See what happens if you make a commitment to do this for a few weeks.

Avoid consumerism – try taking a month and buying nothing, except the essentials like food, of course! See how it feels to buy nothing. Is it easy? Difficult? What comes up for you when you think about buying nothing for a month? How would your wallet benefit?

Stay close to home – do something close to home, rather than driving to find something fun to do. Have an indoor or outdoor picnic. Make a simple, healthy meal. Play soft music. Pretend there is nowhere to go and enjoy all the things you said you’d do if you only had time.

Wind down at night – turn the lights down low by 8:30 pm and do gentle, quiet activities. Go to bed early, blocking out all the light that might shine from nightlight, alarm clock or computer. Experience total darkness for your sleep and wake up early. See how refreshed you feel if you do this for a few nights – maybe over the weekend when things are less busy.

Get out – enjoy the outdoors, maybe do a bit of hiking. Feel the earth under your feet, breathe in the fresh air. Communing with nature is one of the things I miss most about the indoor-outdoor lifestyle in Saba.

Your Ideas?
These are just a few tips – you may have some of your own and if so, please share! We are looking forward to returning to Saba for our simple life. Until then, it’s fun to practice new habits so that we can live an on island life, even when away.

19 Responses to “ How To Live An “On Island” Life Off Island ”

Heather and Joel…I stumbled upon this website and couldnt stop reading! Thanks for all the great info. I have a couple of questions for you if you dont mind! My husband, the kids and I are thinking of Moving to Saba..He is thinking of taking a job at the Medical School. I am wondering what life in Saba is like for kids..Our kids are:12,4,4,3 years old. Is there public schools there? if not are the private schools expensive and do they recieve a quality education? and what about the cost of living? Would we be able to find a house (rent or buy) for a resonable price?Any info you have would be great..Thanks Rachel

Thanks for the nice message neighbors!! – looking forward to meeting you two. Last one to Eddy’s buys the beer ;>

Unfortunately, we’re going to miss you next month but we’ll be there in March. Where do you live when you’re not on Saba? We love Cat’s Eye cottage and Lee and Lea are the best – I hope they come down again periodically – wonderful folks. Do you know what their plans are? We haven’t seen them in a long time.

Let me know if you have any questions about anything you think I might be able to help with. You’ve probably learned all the ins and outs by now – we’ll have to share our learnings. That’s actually part of what we’re trying to do here in the blog here but we’re getting sidetracked here and there since we’re at home and wanting to post anything. I hope you enjoy the stories.

Joel and Heather,
Stumbled into your blog by chance and was amazed. Many simularities we share and how we got there. We purchased Lee and Lea’s place, “Catseye” last year. That makes us neighbors. We would love to meet and share experiances. We will be on island Septmber 27 through October 13, 2007 and then again March 1 through the 15th, 2008.
James and Meetta

Hey 2amforsure! Long time no see. I hope you’re well. Thanks for the kind words – we’re glad you like the articles here. We’re hoping to head back down in the Nov/Dec timeframe. But, we are so due to post some new articles here – I know. Sorry about that. Heather and I both have a couple still in draft that we’re working on. Thanks for checking back.

Thanks Heather… I worked as a consultant for a long time in Europe, which was mostly face-to-face and group sessions. So, the model where you coach over the phone or email is new to me, but certainly appealing. I am looking at going for the certificate or diploma for Life Coaching. I live in Australia and have looked at three different suppliers of life coaching courses, but I’m not convinced which one to do. What is your experience?

Hi Jan, Thanks for visiting our blog! I actually do all my coaching over the phone. I work with clients all over the world.

Coaching by phone is very effective — sometimes clients feel even more comfortable sharing information over the phone than in person. What I love most is that I’ve met many of my clients face to face due to trips, conferences, etc.

Saba has decent DSL, so I have high speed internet and can utilize Skype and VoIP, although the more important piece is having our technology covered (set up and maintenance of PC, backups, internet connection, website servers, etc.). Thank heavens I have Joel for that!

If you’ve been to the ICA site, you are either currently a coach or thinking of becoming one. I highly recommend the field — it’s very rewarding!

I found this site through the ICA link! I’m impressed guys, you’re doing very well indeed!! A quick question for Heather: how can you coach your customers when you’re in Saba? I guess not all your clients are on the island ? Do you travel to the mainland a lot?

Count me in! Hey James, good to hear from you. I’ll write you privately. Online game, LAN party, you name it – I’m in. We’re in Florida now for a few months but hope to get down again for the summer – looking like June at this point. Hope all is well. I saw your post on one of the other Joel Gove sites. Tragic accident on the trail most likely – they’re steep and slippery for sure, some of them – and the drop off is extreme and into the ocean. I hope that is resolved soon for his family’s sake. I’ll write you soon. Thanks for the comment.

How goes it? I just found your site. I recall passing a few emails with you quite awhile back. But, then ya moved here and I didn’t hear from you! I assumed you visited and left. ha ha ha Anyway, contact me sometime when you are on Saba. I’m looking to get together some people to play some multiplayer FPS/strategies. Either lan party or, I think if we are wity enough, right on the fast saba network. See ya! Cool blog

Sorry for the lack of posts lately. Heather and I have had a busy summer. We both have some drafts but aren’t ready to put them up for probably another week. We probably spend too much time on the articles.

Thanks for your post. Good questions as we certainly keep a close eye on our expenses in Saba. In general, it is less expensive to live on Saba than when we’re at home in the US. Everyone complains that gas, propane and electric are expensive on Saba, but our bills are considerably more in the US despite what they say. Perhaps it’s that we use less in Saba, I’m not sure. If you’re judicial with the use of AC, electric is reasonable. Phone and internet use can be a shocker but you just keep an eye on it and determine what you’re comfortable with. Calls to the US are getting cheaper every few months as competition has increased on the island.

In general, utility and food cost differences have been negligible. We haven’t tracked it too closely but Heather and I both agree we’re certain we spend less on Saba. Car ownership can cost you because of the price of gas and maintenance (think brakes every quarter). We’ve opted to walk, hitchhike (everyone does it) and take cabs when necessary – I firmly believe we’re saving a bundle in this area.

A note on food: some stuff is cheap some is incredibly expensive. If you’re flexible, food is reasonable. If you must have a particular kind of cereal, you may find that “special” box can cost $8-10. The prices are very random and there really doesn’t seem to be much consistency. But, there are plenty of choices, again, if you’re reasonably flexible. Some cereal is $4 – others are $10 – I don’t know why. Now, if you like oatmeal, all is good – cheap all the time. I just use these as examples of course, but it applies to fish, meat, milk, beer, whatever. I hope that helps ;>

Keep those questions coming. I think Heather has a post on costs, maybe it’s still in draft. I’ll check with her. We want to retire on Saba too so we’re looking at costs all the time.

Follow your dreams – my only concern with retirement on Saba is healthcare. But, I think it can be done with some planning.

Click Here to see a post Heather did early this year on food shopping in Saba – in case you didn’t see it.

Thanks for your answer to my email so quickly. I wish you would write more, your posts are very interesting!

I have been interested in Saba since the late 80′s, and did visit in 1996. It was beyond my expectations to say to least. I am interested to know how much a month it costs two people to live, not including your house payment, to live on Saba, which, I guess would include food, utilities? gas, etc. I don’t mean to be rude by any means by asking this, but am thinking of retiring to Saba so am of course interested.

Hi 2amforsure, there are many expats relative to the size of Saba. I’d say mostly Americans but then followed by Dutch and British. That’s my perception anyway. The expats are a mixture of semi-residents, folks involved with Diving, and some teachers. Thanks for writing in.

I will neither confirm nor deny any allegations that online games are anything less than a wholesome and harmless source of home entertainment ;> On that note, pardon me while I avoid the light of day and continue my pursuit of the evil alliance. Why can’t they come up with a “hiking online game” so that I could just stay indoors in front of my PC with a coffee maker hooked up to my arm?

Funny, yesterday while Heather and I were out for a walk after dinner she was complaining about the lack of sunshine this summer in New Hampshire and wishing we were back in Saba this month. I told her she should take up online gaming – as I often tell her – and she just gives me ‘the look’. (‘the look’ means she can’t tell if I’m an idiot because I’m serious or I’m an idiot because I’m joking – really a lose/lose from my perspective)

You make me feel guilty for getting Joel what he wanted for his birthday. Now I’m so sad. I can’t help it if he’s addicted to shoot ‘em up games. Nor can I help it when we ice Nazis together in Call of Duty. I am powerless!!